The Survey, Volume 30, Number 3, Apr 19, 1913Various
History
The Survey, Volume 30, Number 3, Apr 19, 1913
Various
Charities -- Periodicals; Social problems -- Periodicals; United States -- Social conditions -- Periodicals
The National Association of Manufacturers, in its work for compensation
and prevention of industrial accidents, started out with the theory that
the first essential requirement to the furtherance of equitable
conditions is a knowledge of the facts—all the facts, for half knowledge
leads to wrong conclusions. To meet this requirement we made a thorough
study of foreign compensation systems. The next requirement, it was
felt, was prompt action in line with sound conclusions.
Voluntary systems of prevention and relief have been established by
numerous American employers which compare favorably with European
conditions, but on the whole the United States is far behind other
civilized nations in these matters. Employers are not more nor less to
blame for this condition than employes, legislators or the public. We
each and all need education; we need to get in tune with the times.
For many years much time and attention at the board meetings of the
National Association of Manufacturers have been given to the
consideration of accident prevention and relief plans. In common with
other humane agencies, the association has felt that the economic loss
due to accidents, enormous as it is, is as nothing compared with humane
considerations. It has taken the stand further that prevention is even
more important than compensation.
Three years ago the conclusion was reached that the time had passed when
attention to these problems in the abstract was to any extent effective,
and that results could be secured only by practical campaign methods.
Macaulay’s truism, “The only knowledge that a man has is the knowledge
he can use,” has been the basis for the efforts which the committee,
formed at that time and entrusted with this work, has carried on during
these three years.
The spirit in which the committee’s recommendations have been received
and acted upon by members of the association reminds me of Emerson’s
statement: “Every good and commanding movement in the annals of the
world is the triumph of enthusiasm.” We have found enthusiastic support
everywhere. Our misgivings at the outset that the campaign would result
in the loss of the more conservative members of the association proved
to be groundless.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account